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A Cat Called Q and the Magic Globe
Embark on an enchanting journey with A Cat Called Q and the Magic Globe, a captivating fantasy novel by award-winning Australian journalist and author Melody Horrill. This tale weaves themes of courage, self-belief, and environmental stewardship into an adventure that will inspire readers of all ages.
When ten-year-old Sheri discovers a mysterious snow globe in a charity shop, her life takes an unexpected turn. Alongside her best friend, Shawn, she is transported into a spellbound land teeming with peculiar creatures and looming peril. Their to rescue this enchanted realm from destruction. Guided by a majestic, mischievous, sandwich-loving magical cat named Q, Sheri and Shawn embark on a quest that challenges their bravery and self-belief.
This richly imaginative narrative not only entertains but also underscores the importance of caring for our natural world and embracing our connection to it. Readers will find themselves immersed in a world where magic exists in nature, and love has the power to heal and restore.
Join Sheri, Shawn, and the enigmatic Q on a journey that reminds us all of the magic inherent in nature and the transformative power of love.
When ten-year-old Sheri discovers a mysterious snow globe in a charity shop, her life takes an unexpected turn. Alongside her best friend, Shawn, she is transported into a spellbound land teeming with peculiar creatures and looming peril. Their to rescue this enchanted realm from destruction. Guided by a majestic, mischievous, sandwich-loving magical cat named Q, Sheri and Shawn embark on a quest that challenges their bravery and self-belief.
This richly imaginative narrative not only entertains but also underscores the importance of caring for our natural world and embracing our connection to it. Readers will find themselves immersed in a world where magic exists in nature, and love has the power to heal and restore.
Join Sheri, Shawn, and the enigmatic Q on a journey that reminds us all of the magic inherent in nature and the transformative power of love.
281 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 15, 2024
3 people want to read
About the author
Melody Horrill
6 books7 followersMelody Horrill is an award-winning journalist, presenter, and documentary producer, with more than 20 years' experience in broadcast media both in Australia and overseas.
A familiar face on TV in South Australia, she is well-known for her passionate writing and filming about the wild dolphins in the Port River. Her documentary A Dance with a Dolphin was broadcast across Australia on Network 10 and around the globe on CNN, with Melody presenting it from the US. It was one of three documentaries she produced for the 10 Network.
Melody is well known for her work as a senior science and environment reporter for ABC News, Channel 9 News, Channel 10 News and Channel 7 News and across the globe for the CNN World Report. She also presented the weekday weather for Channel 7 in Adelaide for almost 10 years.
In the mid 90’s Melody quit her first full time job to co-create a charity aimed at raising awareness about Adelaide’s unique dolphins. This work led to the formation of Australia’s first Dolphin Sanctuary in the Port River, SA. She continues lobbying for the protection of Adelaide’s dolphins even though she now lives in Melbourne.
A familiar face on TV in South Australia, she is well-known for her passionate writing and filming about the wild dolphins in the Port River. Her documentary A Dance with a Dolphin was broadcast across Australia on Network 10 and around the globe on CNN, with Melody presenting it from the US. It was one of three documentaries she produced for the 10 Network.
Melody is well known for her work as a senior science and environment reporter for ABC News, Channel 9 News, Channel 10 News and Channel 7 News and across the globe for the CNN World Report. She also presented the weekday weather for Channel 7 in Adelaide for almost 10 years.
In the mid 90’s Melody quit her first full time job to co-create a charity aimed at raising awareness about Adelaide’s unique dolphins. This work led to the formation of Australia’s first Dolphin Sanctuary in the Port River, SA. She continues lobbying for the protection of Adelaide’s dolphins even though she now lives in Melbourne.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 27, 2024
A Cat Called Q and the Magic Globe is a delightful children’s fantasy novel by Melody Horrill that includes delightful illustrations by Angelique Smelt. Prepare to embark on a quest to save a magical land through a magic snow globe. This journey will be exciting, entertaining, along with a reminder to take care of the world that we call home.
A Cat Called Q and the Magic Globe draws the eye of readers with a simplistic cover. The cover has what could be interpreted as a blue sky at the top of the background. Working your way down you’ll see that yellow takes over and gradually darkens as it gets closer to the bottom of the cover.
Beneath the title of the story is a small girl sitting next to a rather large black cat. He looks to be quite the chonky creature doesn’t he? With golden eyes and claws slightly flexed he could easily be mistaken for a panther. Is this Q himself? In front of the girl and the cat is a snow globe with a ship traversing rough seas with an island in the distance. All of these are clues to what readers can expect to be found in this delightful tale.
A Cat Called Q and the Magic Globe is a story set in Australia. Readers will immediately be introduced to the young girl who will be the main character of the story – Sheri. Author Horrill gives readers a sketch of Sheri’s life. Things aren’t perfect for young Sheri, but readers will appreciate that despite the “imperfections” Sheri isn’t characterized as holding resentments or complaining. She appears to be a kind-hearted little girl with an overall positive attitude.
The story starts off with Sheri at home, but quickly takes readers along as she goes to the local charity shop (what we would call a second hand store). There readers will be introduced to the cat called Q, or as those who are not his friends should call him – Quasar. It’s there that Sheri first sees the snow globe that will hold her attention. The snow globe has cracks across the dome, and it appears to call to the young girl.
However, it won’t be so easy for her to come into possession of it. There will be a moment or two in A Cat Called Q and the Magic Globe that you’ll wonder – “Will Sheri have to do something bad inorder to obtain possession of the globe?” Good news? The answer is no. LOL! What’s meant to be will be and author Horrill has a specific story in mind, so we just need to exercise a grain of patience and see how it all plays out.
Of course, A Cat Called Q and the Magic Globe doesn’t solely take place in the second-hand shop. Readers will get to see Sheri at home, at school, and with her friend Shawn. It’s nice that Sheri has an advocate and friend in Shawn. It’s sad to see that Sheri gets bullied at school, but it’s heartening that Shawn takes up for her despite his own disabilities.
When the snow globe is finally acquired (don’t worry you won’t be waiting for very long) the story shifts from the “real world” to the fantasy world that Sheri has been chosen to save. This fantastical world is full of amazing and unique creatures. There will be many that readers will find familiar, but there will be others that are specifically unique to this new world. You will find yourself wishing that there were real.
A Cat Called Q and the Magic Globe is a story rich in details, a flowing storyline and engaging characters. While there is some mild bullying in this book author Horrill refrains from overdoing it which would have caused it to be off-putting to younger readers.
As it is written A Cat Called Q and the Magic Globe is a story about adventure, finding courage, and taking care of the planet that will delight and engage readers of all ages.
Sheri is a young girl who along the way in this story finds her inner strength in the face of yet another bully, Mallum, the evil magician polluting the beautiful land of Opimae. Mallum is a character that readers will enjoy disliking. He’s a truly selfish and self-centered character, but worst thing about him is his obsession with avocados!! Who makes people eat that and that alone?! A monster I tell you!! LOL! (He’s not really a monster mind you, just a bad person.)
Author Horrill shows Sheri’s gradual development of strength throughout the story which will delight readers who will find themselves relating to her. Sheri and her friends will have to go through quite a few challenges and are going to appreciate how author Horrill pushes Sheri and company to push through and overcome through this story.
Scattered throughout this book readers will be delighted with the small illustrations done by illustrator Smelt. The illustrations bring a nice spark to the story that will go to both add to the storyline as author Horrill weaves her tale, and draws readers in further.
A Cat Called Q and the Magic Globe is a fantasy novel about a young girl going in an adventure, but tucked into this story is also plea. A plea to stop the unnecessary destruction through deforestation, to stop polluting the rivers, lakes, and oceans and the devastating harm being brought down on the animals who call it home.
Author Horrill does not make this plea through her characters in an “in your face” manner or even in a preachy way. She makes it interesting, engaging and does it in a simplistic manner that will inspire readers to take steps to better care for the planet we call home. It’s cleverly written into the story that will inspire and encourage readers to gain courage and strength like Sheri does to help those who need us most.
A Cat Called Q and the Magic Globe is a delightful story that gives the hints that there could be more stories with Sheri, Quasar, and Shawn in the future. How do we feel about that? We think it’s a delightful promise that we hope we’ll get to see more of.
A Cat Called Q and the Magic Globe is a truly fun story that readers of all ages will love to read again and again. Parents looking for a fun fantasy story to introduce to young children to encourage reading and care for the planet will absolutely want to consider this book as a potential bedtime story. Any reader looking for something fun to read with a flowing storyline will not want to miss out on this enchanting tale.
Pros:
Engaging characters
Well written storyline
Fun fantasy elements
Hints of future adventures with these characters
Nice happy ending
Well developed with lots of unique fantasy creatures
Cons:
None of merit
A Cat Called Q and the Magic Globe draws the eye of readers with a simplistic cover. The cover has what could be interpreted as a blue sky at the top of the background. Working your way down you’ll see that yellow takes over and gradually darkens as it gets closer to the bottom of the cover.
Beneath the title of the story is a small girl sitting next to a rather large black cat. He looks to be quite the chonky creature doesn’t he? With golden eyes and claws slightly flexed he could easily be mistaken for a panther. Is this Q himself? In front of the girl and the cat is a snow globe with a ship traversing rough seas with an island in the distance. All of these are clues to what readers can expect to be found in this delightful tale.
A Cat Called Q and the Magic Globe is a story set in Australia. Readers will immediately be introduced to the young girl who will be the main character of the story – Sheri. Author Horrill gives readers a sketch of Sheri’s life. Things aren’t perfect for young Sheri, but readers will appreciate that despite the “imperfections” Sheri isn’t characterized as holding resentments or complaining. She appears to be a kind-hearted little girl with an overall positive attitude.
The story starts off with Sheri at home, but quickly takes readers along as she goes to the local charity shop (what we would call a second hand store). There readers will be introduced to the cat called Q, or as those who are not his friends should call him – Quasar. It’s there that Sheri first sees the snow globe that will hold her attention. The snow globe has cracks across the dome, and it appears to call to the young girl.
However, it won’t be so easy for her to come into possession of it. There will be a moment or two in A Cat Called Q and the Magic Globe that you’ll wonder – “Will Sheri have to do something bad inorder to obtain possession of the globe?” Good news? The answer is no. LOL! What’s meant to be will be and author Horrill has a specific story in mind, so we just need to exercise a grain of patience and see how it all plays out.
Of course, A Cat Called Q and the Magic Globe doesn’t solely take place in the second-hand shop. Readers will get to see Sheri at home, at school, and with her friend Shawn. It’s nice that Sheri has an advocate and friend in Shawn. It’s sad to see that Sheri gets bullied at school, but it’s heartening that Shawn takes up for her despite his own disabilities.
When the snow globe is finally acquired (don’t worry you won’t be waiting for very long) the story shifts from the “real world” to the fantasy world that Sheri has been chosen to save. This fantastical world is full of amazing and unique creatures. There will be many that readers will find familiar, but there will be others that are specifically unique to this new world. You will find yourself wishing that there were real.
A Cat Called Q and the Magic Globe is a story rich in details, a flowing storyline and engaging characters. While there is some mild bullying in this book author Horrill refrains from overdoing it which would have caused it to be off-putting to younger readers.
As it is written A Cat Called Q and the Magic Globe is a story about adventure, finding courage, and taking care of the planet that will delight and engage readers of all ages.
Sheri is a young girl who along the way in this story finds her inner strength in the face of yet another bully, Mallum, the evil magician polluting the beautiful land of Opimae. Mallum is a character that readers will enjoy disliking. He’s a truly selfish and self-centered character, but worst thing about him is his obsession with avocados!! Who makes people eat that and that alone?! A monster I tell you!! LOL! (He’s not really a monster mind you, just a bad person.)
Author Horrill shows Sheri’s gradual development of strength throughout the story which will delight readers who will find themselves relating to her. Sheri and her friends will have to go through quite a few challenges and are going to appreciate how author Horrill pushes Sheri and company to push through and overcome through this story.
Scattered throughout this book readers will be delighted with the small illustrations done by illustrator Smelt. The illustrations bring a nice spark to the story that will go to both add to the storyline as author Horrill weaves her tale, and draws readers in further.
A Cat Called Q and the Magic Globe is a fantasy novel about a young girl going in an adventure, but tucked into this story is also plea. A plea to stop the unnecessary destruction through deforestation, to stop polluting the rivers, lakes, and oceans and the devastating harm being brought down on the animals who call it home.
Author Horrill does not make this plea through her characters in an “in your face” manner or even in a preachy way. She makes it interesting, engaging and does it in a simplistic manner that will inspire readers to take steps to better care for the planet we call home. It’s cleverly written into the story that will inspire and encourage readers to gain courage and strength like Sheri does to help those who need us most.
A Cat Called Q and the Magic Globe is a delightful story that gives the hints that there could be more stories with Sheri, Quasar, and Shawn in the future. How do we feel about that? We think it’s a delightful promise that we hope we’ll get to see more of.
A Cat Called Q and the Magic Globe is a truly fun story that readers of all ages will love to read again and again. Parents looking for a fun fantasy story to introduce to young children to encourage reading and care for the planet will absolutely want to consider this book as a potential bedtime story. Any reader looking for something fun to read with a flowing storyline will not want to miss out on this enchanting tale.
Pros:
Engaging characters
Well written storyline
Fun fantasy elements
Hints of future adventures with these characters
Nice happy ending
Well developed with lots of unique fantasy creatures
Cons:
None of merit
October 27, 2024
Melody Horrill’s A Cat Called Q and the Magic Globe invites readers into an enchanting journey that brilliantly weaves the magical with the everyday. At first glance, this story feels like a typical childhood adventure, but as you dive deeper, it transforms into something extraordinary. Horrill, with her talent for rich storytelling, brings to life an unforgettable tale of self-discovery, courage, and the hidden wonders in seemingly ordinary places.
The protagonist, Sheri, is a ten-year-old girl who stumbles upon an old snow globe in a charity shop, a discovery that sparks an unexpected journey. Though cracked and unassuming, the globe reveals its magical essence, pulling Sheri into a world she never imagined. This isn’t just any snow globe—it holds an ancient ship weathering fierce waves, waiting for Sheri to shake it and unlock its mysteries. What sets this story apart is its delicate balance between magic and reality; it’s a tale that captivates both the heart and imagination.
Sheri’s character is instantly relatable. She’s a dreamer, yes, but she’s also grounded, dealing with common challenges like school bullying and complicated friendships. Her bond with her father, an arborist, adds layers of warmth and heart to the story, while her friendship with Shawn provides a sense of belonging. The supporting characters, particularly the mysterious Brian and his cat, Quasar, add an additional layer of intrigue, giving readers a reason to keep turning pages.
Pacing is a strong suit in this story, with the narrative unfolding gradually, allowing readers to savor both the real and magical aspects of Sheri’s life. The blend of her everyday experiences with the globe’s enchantment creates an exciting yet balanced plot.
Ultimately, A Cat Called Q and the Magic Globe is a delightful read for both children and adults. Melody Horrill has created a tale that combines heart, adventure, and wonder, inviting readers to look beyond the surface and believe in the extraordinary. For anyone who cherishes stories filled with whimsy, warmth, and a dash of mystery, this book is a must-read.
The protagonist, Sheri, is a ten-year-old girl who stumbles upon an old snow globe in a charity shop, a discovery that sparks an unexpected journey. Though cracked and unassuming, the globe reveals its magical essence, pulling Sheri into a world she never imagined. This isn’t just any snow globe—it holds an ancient ship weathering fierce waves, waiting for Sheri to shake it and unlock its mysteries. What sets this story apart is its delicate balance between magic and reality; it’s a tale that captivates both the heart and imagination.
Sheri’s character is instantly relatable. She’s a dreamer, yes, but she’s also grounded, dealing with common challenges like school bullying and complicated friendships. Her bond with her father, an arborist, adds layers of warmth and heart to the story, while her friendship with Shawn provides a sense of belonging. The supporting characters, particularly the mysterious Brian and his cat, Quasar, add an additional layer of intrigue, giving readers a reason to keep turning pages.
Pacing is a strong suit in this story, with the narrative unfolding gradually, allowing readers to savor both the real and magical aspects of Sheri’s life. The blend of her everyday experiences with the globe’s enchantment creates an exciting yet balanced plot.
Ultimately, A Cat Called Q and the Magic Globe is a delightful read for both children and adults. Melody Horrill has created a tale that combines heart, adventure, and wonder, inviting readers to look beyond the surface and believe in the extraordinary. For anyone who cherishes stories filled with whimsy, warmth, and a dash of mystery, this book is a must-read.
August 13, 2024
A Cat Called Q and the Magic Globe by Melody Horrill is a wonderful book that both educates and entertains young children. It also defines words that most children may not know in a way that makes it easy to understand. I love how the writer did include a real picture of a cat named Q. That was really cool. I also love the formatting of this book. The layout is visual engaging and makes look less like a wordy book. The characters are charming and sweet. Instantly, readers are swept up into this magical world with the girl who is inside her globe and with magic around her. The story sort of reminds me of the children's movie called, Caroline. I can easily see 9–14-year-olds loving this book. The plot is fun, action-packed and of course all about love of nature. What a fantastic way to educate young minds!
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews